Suture

ABSTRACT

A knotless suture system formed from two lengths of suture joined at a suture junction point, with at least four suture limbs extending from the suture junction. The knotless suture system provides the ability to construct a suture bridge for soft tissue repair and fixation across a medial and lateral row bone fixation anchor configuration while passing the suture system in a simplified method of suture management.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/417,081 filed Nov. 24, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff surgery continues to evolve. Initially surgery was performed using transosseous techniques. The advent of anchors enabled the procedures to be performed arthroscopically. Prior art approaches typically use either single or double row repair techniques with knotted sutures. The sutures act to hold the tendon next to the bone during the healing process.

The evolution has gone from single row to double row repairs. However, these constructs require surgeons to know how to tie complicated knots which are technically challenging. The suture knots in the tissue can be bulky and create a painful impingement of the tendon on the bone. This is because the knots end up on top of the cuff, in the sub-acromial space, and have the opportunity to rub on the acromion as the arm is raised. Because non-absorbable suture materials are used for these types of repairs, the suture and associated knots are not absorbed into the body, and hence provide a constant, painful reminder of their presence. Furthermore, there are issues surrounding the use of tying knots which include knot security and loop security. There is also the potential for these knots to increase the chance of tissue reaction. Another concern is the potential for knots to create a “clicking” sound associated with patient irritation.

Better instruments and improved anchor designs facilitated knotless single row configurations. Next, double row transosseous equivalent repairs were developed. Many of these techniques still require complicated knots. Again, the problems previously described with knots are still issues of this technique. One potential advantage of this technique is that there is independent medial row fixation. Another derivative of this repair construct is a knotless “bridge” technique. While this technique eliminates the need to tie knots, the medial and lateral row fixation is dependent on one another. In other words, if the lateral row fails then so does the corresponding medial row. An arthroscopic technique that enables a truly knotless double row transosseous repair with application of medial pressure is desirable. An improved suture system and methods of using such a suture system would address the concerns previously described and would also allow for surgeons of various skill levels to perform the technique arthroscopically and without the need for knot tying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a traditional knotted double row repair;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a traditional knotted double row repair;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a present version knotless double row repair;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a present version knotless double row repair;

FIG. 5A illustrates a view of an interwoven suture configuration in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 5B illustrates a view of an interwoven suture configuration in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an interwoven suture configuration adjacent to soft tissue in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a terminus of a suture configuration passed retrograde through soft tissue in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 8A illustrates a view of an interwoven suture configuration in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 8B illustrates a top view of a deployed interwoven suture configuration in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 8C illustrates a top view of a deployed interwoven suture configuration in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 8D illustrates a top view of a deployed interwoven suture configuration in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a interwoven suture “W” configuration in accordance with at least some embodiments; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of a procedure to secure connective tissue to bone according to at least certain embodiments in the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides an improved knotless suture apparatus for suturing of soft tissue at a surgical repair site. In an exemplary embodiment described herein, the apparatus is used to secure soft tissue to a bone structure, specifically the humeral bone of the human shoulder. The length of suture is desirably looped through soft tissue, such as a rotator cuff tendon, to approximate and fix the soft tissue with respect to the body cavity (e.g., bone structure). It should be understood, however, that the suture anchor apparatus may be utilized to secure a length of suture to body cavities other than in a bone structure, and may even be used to anchor the suture outside of a body cavity, merely to a predetermined location within the body. In this regard, the preferred apparatus includes an interwoven suture configuration that may be variably arranged and adjusted freely and then anchored or secured without knots.

A traditional knotted double row, transosseous equivalent repair is shown in FIGS. 1 (side view) and 2 (top view). Anchors A and C (medial) and B and D (lateral) are disposed beneath the tom tendon 100 and implanted into the supporting bone 102. Sutures are attached to these anchors, passed upward through the tendon. Knots 104 are tied in each suture above the corresponding medial anchor. These knots supply medial compression. The sutures are then drawn to lateral implants B to supply additional compression over the length of the tissue. Advantageously, the knots supply a degree of medial compression even if the connection to the lateral implant fails. Unfortunately, this benefit is realized using knots and therefore produces all of the drawbacks associated with knots.

A current version of a knotless double row, transosseous equivalent repair is shown in FIGS. 3 (side view) and 4 (top view). The suture is then drawn across the tissue and attached to anchors. Advantageously, this technique omits knots. Unfortunately, due to the absence of knots, this configuration only provides pressure at the medial implants if the lateral connection remains intact. If the connection to the lateral implant fails, the entire repair fails.

The present disclosure pertains to a novel suture that permits single and double row repair to be performed without using knots. The presently described suture configuration enables the true knotless double row transosseous technique to be performed arthroscopically by providing a joined, double armed suture system with two independent suture strands or limbs on both the medial and lateral sides that may be secured in knotless fashion. Such a suture system further facilitates soft tissue repair by establishing an adjustable suture bridge for optimal tissue-bone footprint reestablishment in the area adjacent the joined suture junction. In certain embodiments, two lengths of suture are interwoven over a predetermined length, such that the predetermined length of combined sutures forms a joined suture connection portion of the interwoven suture combination referred to by the applicant herein as a “belt.” FIG. 5A illustrates a first suture 202 and a second suture 204. In step 200, suture 204 is passed through suture 202. In one embodiment, suture 202 is a braided suture to facilitate this interweaving step, such that at one discrete location the braids of suture 202 are slightly separated to allow suture 204 to be interwoven through the separated braids of suture 202. Step 200 produces suture 206 which is characterized by a single instance of interweaving suture 204 into suture 202. In step 208, suture 204 is again passed through suture 202 at a second location where, for example, the braids of suture 202 are slightly separated, to produce suture 210. This second location of interweaving suture 204 through suture 202 establishes “belt” 212 which has a length L. The precise dimension or magnitude of L can be controlled by either repeating step 208 multiple times (i.e., by repeating the interweaving step to create multiple locations or points of insertion and interweaving of suture 204 into suture 202) or by simply increasing the distance between the two points of insertion 214 and 216.

It is contemplated that one distinct length of suture need not completely penetrate the other to be interwoven. The first suture can be partially inserted into the core of the second suture and reemerge on the same side before the first suture is completely penetrated. The first suture can also be otherwise stitched to the second suture. Alternatively or additionally, two sutures can be connected by passing each adjacently through a hollow band. Similarly to the belt configuration, the hollow band may be a desired length, dimension, or magnitude. Another method for forming the belt is to use a suture such as suture 500 of FIG. 5B in conjunction with suture 502. Suture 500 includes one or more rings 504. To form a combined suture system according to these embodiments, suture 502 is passed through rings 504 of suture 500. The width of the rings defines the width of the belt. Generally, the belt may be from about 1 mm to about 15 mm in length. In another embodiment, the belt may be from about 5 mm to about 12 mm in length.

Referring to FIG. 6, the terminus 300 of suture 210 is passed through the soft tissue 100 downward in the direction of arrow 304, and then attached to anchor 302. In one embodiment, anchor 302 is a knotless suture anchor. This is a stark contrast with present surgical techniques which utilize an anchor that includes suture 308 which is passed upwards in the direction of arrow 310. In this prior art technique, terminus 312 is later tied to the corresponding end of the same suture.

FIG. 8A depicts a combined suture system 210 according to certain embodiments with an “X” configuration. Suture system 210 has a first suture 202 and a second suture 204 with four separate suture limbs (202A-B and 204C-D) and is further characterized by belt 212 where the individual lengths of suture are joined. Depending on the precise interweaving pattern, a given length of suture can provide any two of these limbs. Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, one repair technique using suture system 210 involves passing limb 202A down through soft tissue 100. Limb 202B is similarly passed down through the tissue at some small distance from limb 202A. These limbs 202A, 202B are then each inserted into a medially placed knotless anchor/implant A, such as the Opus® Magnum® 2 implant or SpeedScrew® implant. As tension is applied to suture system 210 and the limbs 202A and 202B are drawn into the implant A, the belt 212 of the suture begins to compress the tissue medially whereas belt 212 defines the length of the mattress portion of the stitch on the superior (bursal side) aspect of the tissue. As described above, the length L of belt 212 is selectable to accommodate the repair construct desired by the practitioner, wherein for example a greater length L may be desirable to increase the compression footprint applied by belt 212 to the adjacent soft tissue. A similar procedure is repeated for implant C, where the belt 212 on a second suture system 210 compresses the tissue at the insertion point of the suture limbs into the anchor. After two suture systems 210 have been set into medial implants A and C, respectively, limbs 204C and 204D of each suture are spanned out and inserted into laterally placed knotless implants B and D (see FIG. 8B) and then appropriated tensioned and secured. It should be noted that the span of limbs 204C and 204D laterally across the soft tissue 100 also serves to compress the tissue to the underlying bone structure in an effort to restore the anatomical footprint of the damaged tissue with respect to the bone.

Referring now to FIG. 8C, in certain other embodiments, a practitioner may, after securing medial limbs 204A, 204B into a lateral implant A and forming a belt 212, span one lateral limb 204C of a suture system 210 from a medial implant into one lateral implant, both implants disposed generally anteriorly with regard to the patient's anatomical midline (e.g. A to B) followed by spanning a second lateral limb 204D from the same medial implant to a different lateral implant, the second lateral implant disposed more posteriorly in comparison to the first lateral implant (e.g. A to D). Similarly, a second suture system 210 may be used in conjunction after securing the two medial limbs to the medial implant and forming a belt 212 to span one lateral limb from a second medial implant into the second lateral implant (e.g. C to D) followed by spanning a second lateral limb from the same medial implant to the first lateral implant (e.g. C to B). In particular, this configuration has criss-crossing suture limbs over the top of the rotator cuff potentially increasing anatomical footprint compression of the soft tissue to the underlying bone structure. The repair provides medial row compression and fixation without the need for knots. Furthermore, medial row fixation is independent of the lateral row as a function of tissue securement in the vicinity of belt 212. In the event of a partial failure, the width of belt 212 provides a downward force that helps hold the tissue against the bone at least in the area of the medial implant.

FIG. 8D depicts another configuration where the two medial limbs (202A and 202B) are each attached to two different medial implants (A and C). The belt 212 is disposed between these two implants. The remaining lateral limbs (204C and 204 D) are attached to two lateral implants B and D. In this configuration, belt 212 spans between the two medial implants thereby providing medial row compression and fixation across a broader footprint. Additionally, this configuration ideally requires only one suture system 210, thereby allowing the practitioner to limit the exercise of suture passing to two instances.

In another contemplated embodiment, not shown, more than two strands are interwoven into a single belt position. For example, three sutures may be interwoven at a single belt thereby producing a suture with six limbs (e.g., three medial suture limbs and three lateral suture limbs) and one belt.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a suture system 900 with a “W” configuration is illustrated. Suture system 900 is similar to suture system 210 except in that one of the sutures 902 has a third suture 904 woven into it at point 906, thereby establishing a second belt 914. First suture 902 is connected to second suture 908 at point 910 to establish belt 912. First suture 902 is also connected to third suture at point 906 to establish belt 914. The second suture 908 and third suture 904 are not directly connected to one another. The W is formed by the two limbs (905A, 905B) of suture 904 and the two limbs (909A, 909B) of suture 908. The second belt is useful for spanning the gap between adjacent medial implants (e.g. implants A and C of FIG. 8D). Additionally, the limbs 903A, 903B of suture 902 are each secured to medial row implants (i.e., implants A and C) where the lateral row limbs are secured to lateral row implants (e.g., limbs 909A, 909B to implant B, limbs 905A, 905B to implant D).

Various materials may be used to form the suture system according to the embodiments described herein. For example, a number two high-strength polyethylene absorbable suture may be used. Other suitable suture materials, both absorbable and non-absorbable, are known in the art and are contemplated for use with the present invention. Polyester, polyglycolic acid, polyurethane and other synthetic polymer sutures are well known. The suture could be traditional-type high strength sutures or flat-based tape type sutures.

Various methods for forming the present sutures are contemplated. For example, the suture may be interwoven by the surgeon during surgery by interweaving the two sutures during the operation. Alternatively, the suture may be similarly interwoven prior to the operation. The suture may also be manufactured in an X configuration. For example, a braided suture may be partially unwoven at its ends to produce the X configuration.

In another embodiment, the invention pertains to a method of performing soft tissue reattachment to bone. Referring to FIG. 10, the method begins with step 1000 in which a knotless interwoven suture, such as suture 210, is provided that has at least four limbs and at least one belt. In step 1002 at least two of these limbs are passed downward, through soft tissue. A suture shuttle may be used to pass the interwoven suture through the soft tissue. In step 1004 at least two knotless anchors (one medial, one lateral) are implanted into bone. In one embodiment, at least four anchors are implanted and the repair is performed in the manner of a double row repair technique. The implants are disposed under or adjacent tom soft tissue. In step 1006 two limbs of suture are attached to one anchor and at least one limb of the suture to a second anchor. In step 1008 the limbs of the suture are tensioned across the top surface of the soft tissue to cause its bottom surface to rest securely against the bone. The suture limbs are tightened such that the belt is disposed above a corresponding anchor. The tensioning of step 1008 is dialed by means of the knotless lateral anchors.

While preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teaching herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the present teachings, including equivalent structures or materials hereafter thought of, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A process for soft tissue repair comprising the steps of: obtaining a knotless suture system that has at least four suture limbs, each of which is connected to a suture belt; disposing the knotless suture system adjacent a soft tissue of a patient, the soft tissue having a bottom surface proximal to a bone and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; passing at least two of the suture limbs through the soft tissue; implanting at least a first and second bone anchor into the bone to form a lateral row; knotlessly securing at least two of the four limbs to the first bone anchor; knotlessly securing at least another one of the four limbs to the second bone anchor; tensioning the suture system such that the suture belt engages the soft tissue and is disposed over the first bone anchor; implanting a third and fourth bone anchor into the bone to form a medial row; obtaining a second knotless suture system that has at least four suture limbs of the second knotless suture system, each of which is connected to a second suture belt; knotlessly securing at least two of the four limbs of the second knotless suture system to the third bone anchor; knotlessly securing at least another one of the four limbs of the second knotless suture system to the fourth bone anchor; and tensioning the second suture system such that the second suture belt engages the soft tissue and is disposed over the third bone anchor.
 2. A method for soft tissue repair comprising the steps of: obtaining a knotless suture system comprising two suture lengths, the two suture lengths defining a belt portion wherein both of the two suture lengths are connected with each other at the belt portion, the knotless suture system having four limbs extending from the belt portion defined by the two suture lengths, each of the four limbs being independent of one another; disposing the knotless suture system adjacent a soft tissue of a patient, the soft tissue having a bottom surface proximal to a bone and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; passing at least two of the limbs through the soft tissue, wherein the belt portion does not pass through the soft tissue; forming a medial row and a lateral row, wherein each of the medial row and the lateral row comprises a plurality of bone anchors; attaching at least one of the four limbs to a first of the plurality of bone anchors of the medial row; attaching at least another one of the four limbs to a first of the plurality of bone anchors of the lateral row; and tensioning the suture system such that the suture belt compresses the soft tissue to the bone.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: attaching a third of the four limbs to a second of the plurality of bone anchors in the medial row; and attaching a fourth of the four limbs to a second of the plurality of bone anchors in the lateral row. 